'We can beat any team in this tournament'

Before departing the country, Najmul Hossain Shanto had spoken of his ambition to win the Champions Trophy. In an official press conference, the Bangladesh captain expressed great optimism.

Now, after several days of training in Dubai and playing a practice match, his confidence in the team seems to have grown even further. On the eve of their opening match against India, he declared that Bangladesh have the ability to defeat any team in this year's Champions Trophy.

After an eight-year gap, the Champions Trophy is back, and Bangladesh find themselves in Group A. Their three opponents are India, Pakistan, and New Zealand—all formidable sides. Pakistan are the reigning champions, and their current form is impressive.

India enter the tournament as top favourites, while New Zealand have always been a tough competitor in ICC events. Securing victories against such opponents is a daunting challenge, yet Shanto has his sights set firmly on the title.

Despite setting such lofty goals, Bangladesh's match preparation has not been ideal. In their sole warm-up match, they suffered a heavy seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan Shaheens. However, Shanto remains unfazed, insisting that this loss will have no bearing on their performance in the main tournament. "The defeat in the warm-up match will not have any impact. We used the match to assess various aspects, giving everyone opportunities to bowl and bat. It was purely for practice purposes. I don't think it will affect us much," he said.

Shanto also reminded everyone of Bangladesh's strength in One Day Internationals (ODIs), asserting that they have the capability to beat any team. "Our team is quite balanced in this format, and we firmly believe that we can defeat any side in this tournament. Every team is capable of winning the trophy, but I am not someone who overthinks the opposition. If we can execute our plans properly, we can beat any team on any given day," he stated.

Emphasising the need for a strong all-round performance, Shanto added, "I believe we must excel in all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding. Over the past few years, we have played well in this format, and our team is in good shape. The conditions are also somewhat similar to what we are used to. The way we have prepared gives us confidence, and we are hoping for the best in tomorrow's match."

Much like the India-Pakistan rivalry, Bangladesh's clashes with India generate significant excitement among cricket fans. However, Shanto downplayed the extra tension surrounding this fixture, saying that the players remain focused on executing their game plan rather than getting caught up in the hype. "There is always a bit of added excitement in India-Bangladesh matches. However, as cricketers, we don't dwell too much on these things. Our focus is on implementing our plans and staying as composed as possible on the field," he remarked.

Bangladesh have several all-rounders in their squad, including Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain could also be classified as an all-rounder, while Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah Riyad are capable of contributing in multiple departments.

Expressing confidence in these players, Shanto highlighted their importance in maintaining the team's balance. "All-rounders always provide balance to the team. We have some quality all-rounders, and I hope they will deliver strong performances tomorrow and make valuable contributions to the team," he concluded.